Braun stays home

Ryan Braun didn’t head out on the road Thursday, after all. Instead of traveling to Goodyear, Ariz. to play the Reds, Braun stayed home and was in the starting lineup for the Brewers’ other split-squad game, against the A’s.

Chalk it up to Brewers manager Ken Macha being ultra-cautious with his start left fielder.

“That was a ‘this morning’ decision. Not that this has been a problem, but he said his hamstrings have been a little tight,” Macha said. “Not that it’s going to keep him out of the game, but [by staying at Maryvale Baseball Park] as soon as he gets out of the game he can go get his treatment.”

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Jody Gerut swapped with Braun and took the trip to Goodyear. So did I, because it will be my first opportunity to see Chris Narveson pitch. Look for a story about Narveson — and his Wisconsin connection that I didn’t know about — later on Brewers.com.

Here is the lineup for the game against the Reds:

Jody Gerut LF

Joe Inglett 2B

Corey Hart RF

Jim Edmonds CF

Casey McGehee 3B

Steffan Wilson 1B

Matt Treanor C

Luis Cruz SS

Chris Narveson LHP

Carlos Villanueva, Chris Capuano and Mark Rogers are also on the travel roster for the game.

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Meanwhile, this is the lineup that will face the A’s at Maryvale:

Rickie Weeks 2B

Alcides Escobar SS

Ryan Braun LF

Prince Fielder 1B

Carlos Gomez CF

George Kottaras C

Adam Heether 3B

Adam Stern RF

Randy Wolf LHP

LaTroy Hawkins, Mitch Stetter, Chris Smith and Kameron Loe are on the list to pitch in that game.

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